Villanova, Pa. - The Long Island University women's lacrosse team held an early lead on the road at Villanova, but succumbed to a run midway through the first half and eventually fell, 19-11, at Villanova Stadium in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday night. Sophomore Annie Kalata (Nesconset, N.Y.) led the offense for LIU with four goals.

LIU (3-9) opened the scoring in the early going with a goal by junior Christie Wienckowski (Newton Square, Pa.) at the 27:07 mark. The teams traded goals through the midway point of the period when junior Jillian Maricondo (Levittown, N.Y.) tied the game at 2-2 with her tally at the 23:36 point. Back-to-back goals from Kalata gave the Blackbirds a one-goal lead and freshman Ashley Prizio (Brookfield, Conn.) extended the margin to 5-3 with a free position shot at the 16:05 point.

Villanova (6-6) rallied and reeled off a 9-2 run to close the half. A pair of Wildcats goals tied the game at 5-5, before Prizio took a pass from sophomore Sara LaNoir (Queensbury, N.Y.) to put the Blackbirds back in front. VU took a 7-6 lead with consecutive goals before junior Jenna Schauder (Jackson, N.J.) scored off a nice individual effort to tie the contest, but the Wildcats closed the half with five unanswered goals to take a 12-7 lead at the half.

Kalata and the Blackbirds opened the second half strong as the attacker scored a pair of goals to get LIU within 13-9 with 24:12 to play. The Wildcats answered with three straight goals, however, and extended their lead to 16-9 in a three-minute span before LIU tried to stop the run with a timeout.

The deficit grew to 18-9 before a goal by freshman Claire Ranney (Jarrettsville, Md.) cut into the margin. Prizio took a feed from Schauder off a free position attempt with 8:26 to play to get LIU within 18-11, but the Wildcats controlled the ensuing draw and scored to end the threat.

Freshman Jaqueline Simonian (Farmingdale, N.Y.) made 12 saves in net, while Schauder led LIU with four draw controls. Junior Felicia Reynolds (Mount Laurel, N.J.) collected a team-high three ground balls.

Taryn McKenna notched seven goals to lead the Wildcats, while Maggie Langan made six saves in net.

The Blackbirds return to action against Wagner in a Northeast Conference matchup on Thursday, April 9, at 4:00 p.m.

2009-04-07